French citizens living abroad do not lose their French
citizenship when they acquire a foreign nationality from their country
of residency.

In effect, under current legislation, "any adult of
French nationality, regularly residing abroad, who voluntarily acquires
a foreign nationality, does not lose his/her French citizenship unless
it is specifically declared (…)."

There is no real procedure or rules, in practice, to
establish French citizenship, the Certificate of French
citizenship, being a stronger form of evidence - than
the French national identification card and the French citizenship
civil registry card- is often required.

Application for the French citizenship
certificate

Issuing the French citizenship certificate

In this regard, the competent authority to issue the
French citizenship certificate is the clerk of the “Court of First
Instance” in matters of citizenship, that holds jurisdiction in the
area where the interested party resides (a decree defines the seat and
the jurisdiction of the French “Court of
First Instance” qualified in matters of citizenship).

In cases of citizenship refusals, a disciplinary
complaint may, if the party concerned deems it necessary, be exercised
with the Ministry of Justice. In respect to appeals, the Superior Court
has jurisdiction to hear appeals related to nationality of individuals,
with a possibility of appearing before the Court of Appeals, and
consecutively, to the final court of appeals.( The French Supreme Court
of Judicature).

To introduce appeals, an attorney is
necessary.

The firm will advise and represent you, if
given the opportunity, in your administrative procedures
(Application for the French citizenship certificate,
naturalization, reinstatement of French nationality, etc.)
and appeals (before the courts: the Superior Court, the court of
appeals, etc..) all related to citizenship.